Hesse
Why it's listed
Hesse is a five-bay, two-story brick plantation house in Mathews County, Virginia, set on a bluff about one hundred yards from the Piankatank River with a wide view toward the Chesapeake Bay. Built probably in the second quarter of the eighteenth century, it follows the single-pile plan, with a central passage flanked by one room on each side. Brickwork is laid in English bond below the water table and Flemish bond above. Inside are paneled walls, a three-run stair and a vaulted wine cellar remnant in the basement. The site was long the seat of the Armistead family, who patented land here in 1659 and married into many leading Virginia families. Foundations of an earlier house just east of the present one, once mistaken for a burned section, may offer further evidence about colonial building. The house is a private residence and is being gradually renovated.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Hesse as a classic example of Tidewater plantation architecture, especially as found in the Mathews and Gloucester County area. It is also noted as the seat of the Armisteads, a prominent colonial Virginia family connected by marriage to many leading families. Foundations of an earlier house east of the present one could add to knowledge of colonial Virginia architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74002137, listed February 12, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Cobbs Creek off VA 631, Blakes |
|---|---|
| County | Mathews County |
| Listed | February 12, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002137 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architectural style | Georgian plantation house (Tidewater) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Structurally sound but in need of minor repairs; being gradually renovated, with a private residence use; occupied only sporadically in the 19th and early 20th centuries. |
| Acreage | 150 |
| Coordinates | 37.51401, -76.36706 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74002137.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712525
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.